We heard Kennedy's name called, and a murmur of sympathy spread around.

"Poor chap," said one, "he would give the use of his wounded arm for that letter." "Yes," said another; "he has to suffer homesickness as well as pain, and a letter from home would brace him up as nothing else could." Every man took his treasures to a quiet place, a place apart, if such could be found, to enjoy them alone.

The few who got none--well! may I never see such disappointed, sorrowful faces again.
The letters read and pondered over awhile, tongues began to be loosened, and soon all over the ship was heard the buzz of conversation.

Chums told each other the little items of news that to them seemed the most important things in the world.

And after all had been told and retold, the men gathered in groups and discussed their past months' experiences.
"Do you know," said Craven (a descendant of that famous line of naval heroes, a seaman and member of Number Thirteen six-pounder gun's crew), "I think we are wonderfully fortunate to come through this experience as well as we have.